Rules On Interceptions Make Procedure Plain

October 12, 1985|By United Press International

WASHINGTON — The peacetime interception of planes can be accomplished under a strict set of rules for both pilots.

The procedures, recommended by an international aviation body and the Federal Aviation Administration, tell the intercepting pilot what moves to make and the pilot of the intercepted plane how to respond.

An interception can be made without either pilot talking to the other by radio, but the procedures make it easy for pilots to communicate by setting aside the two international aviation distress frequencies.

Typically, at night, the interceptors approach the suspect plane from the rear and below, with one or more jets trailing the intercepted plane and the flight leader coming up in the left front, getting no closer than absolutely necessary to identify the intercepted plane.

The fight leader then rocks his wings, flashes his red and green navigation lights, wing-tip strobe lights and landing lights to let the other pilot know his plane has been intercepted. The pilot of the intercepted plane then performs a similar manuever to acknowledge that he understands.

Under the guidelines for an interception, once the intercepted pilot acknowledges that he understands, the flight leader begins a slow turn in the direction he wants the other plane to follow.

Once the planes arrive at their destination, the flight leader lowers his landing gear and turns on his landing lights, flying over the runway to signal the intercepted plane to land.

Should an intercepted plane refuse to acknowledge a command from the interceptor, although the intercep- tion guidelines do not cover the issue, the flight leader could fire across the nose of the suspect plane to warn the pilot and, as a last resort, shoot it down.